About the Film

If every sport has a narrative, then boxing's is a tale of redemption. With each brain-jarring blow and fancy footwork comes lucrative money, a better life and possible deliverance. UNDERDOG PLAZA shows the genuine and raw side to the sport with 27-year-old Dierry 'Dougie-Style' Jean, an orphan from Haiti with a checkered past, at its center. The film takes the viewer into a gritty, Montreal inner city gym where the undefeated Quebec super welterweight boxing champion sweats and strains to fulfill his dream of becoming a world champion. Using a gritty, cinema-verité style, the access documentary offers a rare and intimate look at life within this ferocious sport, focusing on Dierry's life, his trials, tribulations and tentative resistance to overcome his troubles with poverty, prejudice and addiction.

In direct contrast to Dierry is his friend and onetime roommate, 24-year-old Ahmad 'Mo-mo' Abdul Amir. Mo-mo, an Iraqi Gulf War immigrant with a physically abusive father, hopes to live out his boxing dreams too. The 2012 London Olympics are his goal, but it becomes clear that his aspirations appear larger than his abilities. Despite his dedication and tireless training efforts to improve his skills he loses in the semifinals at the Golden Gloves, a necessary stepping-stone in his Olympic dream. Not only does he struggle with the realization that his boxing dreams are falling apart, he has to watch Dierry win fight after fight despite an elbow waiting for surgery, his lack of training, his drinking, gambling and womanizing. Unlike Mo-mo, Dierry is a natural fighter with a fearless heart, an abundance of charisma and a vicious thirst to be a world champion. Mo-mo supports his friend, but can't help but wrestle with jealousy and his own boxing inadequacies as he watches Dierry vanquish opponents with comparatively little effort.

Struggling to contain Dierry and transform Mo-mo into a real fighter is renowned trainer Mike Moffa. Both coach and father figure, Moffa clashes with Dierry between fights in an effort to keep him off the streets of the gang-laden Haitian district of St.Michel. Mike's love for Dierry is matched only by his frustration as he attempts to guide him into a focused, disciplined and productive life. But the dark side easily sways Dierry, frustrated with a lingering elbow injury. Can he stay away from the lure of women, gambling and drink long enough to succeed? When he learns that Melissa, his on again off again girlfriend is pregnant with his baby, he makes a decisive commitment to get his life together. With the help of Mike he finds a new manager, has elbow surgery and pledges to be become a better boyfriend and soon-to-be father.

UNDERDOG PLAZA captures Dierry Jean's entire world; from his turbulent relationships to his hardcore training and brutal fights - all the way to the limits and addictions of his body and mind. Does he have the burning inner passion, the skill and the will that can make the impossible happen?

Film Details

CREATIVE TEAM

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS